Did UConn talk to Ta’Niya Latson about transferring?

[oldude]

There’s an article in Greenville Online where Ta’Niya Latson discusses her decision to transfer to SC. The article suggests that Latson talked to a lot of schools including: LSU, TN & UConn.

Latson officially entered the portal on March 27. She officially announced her decision to transfer to SC 12 days later on April 8, although Dawn was doing her Cheshire Cat impersonation about impending transfers right after SC lost to UConn on April 6, 10 days later.

Clearly, Latson never visited UConn, and there is little evidence that she visited any other school. 10 days is not a lot of time, although we can surmise that Latson had an agent/representative contacting schools prior to announcing she was in the portal on March 27, just 3 days after FSU bowed out of the Big Dance.

So it begs the question, did UConn contact Latson in the middle of their championship run or did Latson contact UConn, or is Latson simply name dropping a series of top programs for the heck of it? Whatever the answer, I strongly believe that Latson had made her decision prior to the championship game on April 6.

 

[Kaizen]

There’s an article in Greenville Online where Ta’Niya Latson discusses her decision to transfer to SC. The article suggests that Latson talked to a lot of schools including: LSU, TN & UConn.

Latson officially entered the portal on March 27. She officially announced her decision to transfer to SC 12 days later on April 8, although Dawn was doing her Cheshire Cat impersonation about impending transfers right after SC lost to UConn on April 6, 10 days later.

Looks like Latson talked to UConn not UConn contact her,

“I talked to a lot of schools,” Latson said. “LSU, UConn, Tennessee … But ultimately, I knew my goals and I knew my vision, and South Carolina had that.”

Read more at: https://www.thestate.com/sports/col...asketball/article309874620.html#storylink=cpy

 

[oldude]

Looks like Latson talked to UConn not UConn contact her,

“I talked to a lot of schools,” Latson said. “LSU, UConn, Tennessee … But ultimately, I knew my goals and I knew my vision, and South Carolina had that.”

Read more at: https://www.thestate.com/sports/col...asketball/article309874620.html#storylink=cpy

Sounds like “name dropping” to me.

 

[darrell]

Only evidence to suggest it is Coach Valley following her (as she does with players of interest) after Ta’Niya had entered the portal.

 

[Bone Dog]

Only evidence to suggest it is Coach Valley following her (as she does with players of interest) after Ta’Niya had entered the portal.

Maybe this was Geno trying to lure Dawn into offering Latson. I can’t really imagine him making an offer unless she was willing to be just another rotation player. And I’m pretty sure that would be the end of her interest.

 

[oldude]

Had there been mutual interest, UConn would most certainly want Latson to visit the campus to meet the coaches and team, as the Huskies did with Serah & Kayleigh. Since that did not happen, we can assume there was no mutual interest.

Beyond that, it almost sounds as if the entire transfer process for Latson amounted to a series of phone calls, where NIL was discussed along with other issues. Latson is good friends with Raven Johnson, probably got the financial deal she wanted from SC and that was all that there was to it.

 

[Huskee11]

I think she made the right decision. She is primarily a two guard with one year left and we have Azzi. We also have plenty of offense and throwing a volume shooter into the mix would be risky. Heckel is a better fit and we have her for three years.

It is interesting though that Latson committed to South Carolina before Fulwiley announced her entry into the portal. Would love to know who knew what when.

 

[oldude]

I think she made the right decision. She is primarily a two guard with one year left and we have Azzi. We also have plenty of offense and throwing a volume shooter into the mix would be risky. Heckel is a better fit and we have her for three years.

It is interesting though that Latson committed to South Carolina before Fulwiley announced her entry into the portal. Would love to know who knew what when.

Fulwiley was very likely on the fence at SC. Latson’s announcement may have pushed her off the fence to LSU in another transfer decision that appeared to have been made in haste.

 

[Boreifs]

I think she made the right decision. She is primarily a two guard with one year left and we have Azzi. We also have plenty of offense and throwing a volume shooter into the mix would be risky. Heckel is a better fit and we have her for three years.

It is interesting though that Latson committed to South Carolina before Fulwiley announced her entry into the portal. Would love to know who knew what when.

Azzi, Ash and Alli. Two guard is arguably our strongest position; we needed a point guard and ended up with the best one available.

 

[MooseJaw]

Had there been mutual interest, UConn would most certainly want Latson to visit the campus to meet the coaches and team, as the Huskies did with Serah & Kayleigh. Since that did not happen, we can assume there was no mutual interest.

Beyond that, it almost sounds as if the entire transfer process for Latson amounted to a series of phone calls, where NIL was discussed along with other issues. Latson is good friends with Raven Johnson, probably got the financial deal she wanted from SC and that was all that there was to it.

Money talks, Latson walked. If so she would have never fit in at UCONN. Not to say UCONN is an aberration, no money to players, we know better UCONN like any other big time University now pays players in various ways. We know that if the dollars are a players biggest priority, we will be watching them play for someone else.

 

[EricLA]

Ok so my $.02 FWIW... and keep in mind UConn generally plays positionless basketball for the most part, so from a PT and shots per game perspective, I'm lumping the 2,3, and 4 spots all into one.

Latson IS more of a volume shooter - averaging over 17 shots per game for her first 3 years, and almost 20 shots last season per game.

Compare that to Azzi - who took just under 11 SPG. Ash was even less at 6 SPG. Paige and Sarah, for reference, were 14 and 11.6 respectively. With the addition of Quinones (who I think will be special), Cheli coming back, and the hopeful growth of top 10 HS recruit Allie Z., how on earth would we have fit Latson into our rotation?

Who do you want taking 15 shots per game? Azzi and Sarah. There is no way I'd want Latson taking more shots than either of them. Of course, Geno could play even 4 guards on the floor, but we only had 2 spots available.

One spot went to Serah Williams - probably the jewel of the portal (at least from UConn's perspective). And if she was the diamond, Kayleigh was certainly a ruby. TBH, if i had to choose ONLY between Kayleigh and TaNiya, it would be Kayleigh every day and twice on Sunday. Again, nothing against TaNiya, it's just that Kayleigh gives us EXACTLY what we needed, whereas Latson did not.

This isn't to take anything away from Latson - she's terrific. And a 45%v FG% is very solid. But Azzi was 48% and Sarah 59%, so... I just don't see her as a good fit for UConn. Frankly, I don't see her as a great fit for SC, unless they plan to make her the primary scoring option and run everything thru her. Having said that she's no Paige Bueckers so good luck to them.

Bottom line, I'm guessing TaNiya wanted to go to a NC contender. And maybe a guaranteed NIL deal. Frankly there are only about 6 choices - UConn, SC, LSU, Texas, USC, and UCLA.

 

[oldude]

When you look at the efficiency of UConn’s shooters, Latson has a way to go to match up. To be sure, as a “high volume” shooter taking almost 20 shots per game, Latson shot a respectable 45/34/82. But that wouldn’t match Paige, Azzi, Sarah and Ash.

While Latson would not have been the Big Dog at UConn, I don’t know that she will be at SC either. Yes, the Gamecocks lose Pao Pao & Fulwiley, but a big part of SC’s game will be pounding it inside to their forwards. It will be interesting to see what Latson’s role is at SC. She certainly won’t be a ball dominant player who puts up 20 shots per game.

 

[Charliebball]

Money talks, Latson walked. If so she would have never fit in at UCONN. Not to say UCONN is an aberration, no money to players, we know better UCONN like any other big time University now pays players in various ways. We know that if the dollars are a players biggest priority, we will be watching them play for someone else.

how many gallons of ice cream does a top-notch player get these days?

 

[Bone Dog]

It will be interesting to see what Latson’s role is at SC. She certainly won’t be a ball dominant player who puts up 20 shots per game.

This looks to be a source of tension next season. Latson’s draft prospects will be impacted if she becomes a mere role player.

 

[hoy-ah!]

Fulwiley was very likely on the fence at SC. Latson’s announcement may have pushed her off the fence to LSU in another transfer decision that appeared to have been made in haste.

I'm glad Serah and Kayleigh committed to UConn. I wonder "if" there was an open spot whether MiLaysia would have entertained UConn as a destination? She seems like a fierce competitor, very athletic, and likely coachable. She moved the ball well in the games against UConn. Maybe Dawn didn't utilize her well in her platoon system or deferred to the veterans.

 

[BBallF]

I don't want anyone else or anyone less. We got two perfect fit players for us who are really UCONN kids ( watch them play and listen to them talk team) and we have a very full roster with crazy depth and scary combinations and substitutions. It's all about chemistry out there. We had it BIG TIME last year and won in a crush FF with incredible chemistry ( remember the two jump passes, one by Paige and one by KC?) while all season long many were questioning the post play. Geno turned "small ball" into a nuclear weapon.

I'm excited like never before for this team. We are huge, talented, fast, powerful, full of finesse and full of strength all at the same time, with 3 All Americans. Yes, include Serah because she is that good and you will see it because our guards, plus Sarah, Jana, Ice and Caroline will get her the ball in the right spot. No doubling her this year. Too many shooters on this team. Once we start to really jelly roll, it's when you roll after you gel, we can be something very special.

Once again, go see them play live. It's the only way, especially if you love basketball as it was meant to be played.

 

[Bone Dog]

I'm glad Serah and Kayleigh committed to UConn. I wonder "if" there was an open spot whether MiLaysia would have entertained UConn as a destination? She seems like a fierce competitor, very athletic, and likely coachable. She moved the ball well in the games against UConn. Maybe Dawn didn't utilize her well in her platoon system or deferred to the veterans.

I doubt either side would have considered it. Milaysia is a brilliant player, but erratic. She can come on the floor and electrify the crowd with a few astonishing plays, and then commit a foul or two, chuck up an airball from 3 or throw a bad pass until Dawn (or Geno) has to yank her. That might fit better at LSU than it would at a disciplined scheme like UConn or SC. And I suspect her inability to become a regular starter was deeply frustrating to Milaysia as well.